Changing the hood on a 2009 Mercedes E350 is a posh and time-consuming activity, however, with the suitable instruments and a scientific method, it may be achieved efficiently. This complete information will give you step-by-step directions, detailed explanations, and essential security precautions to make sure a easy and efficient hood alternative course of.
Earlier than commencing, collect the required instruments and supplies, together with a brand new hood, alternative {hardware}, a socket wrench set, a torque wrench, a pry bar, a hammer, and a chisel. Moreover, guarantee your workspace is well-lit and ventilated. Start by disconnecting the unfavorable battery terminal to stop any electrical hazards. Subsequent, rigorously take away the hood insulation and unbolt the hood hinges from the car’s body. Subsequently, help the hood with a sturdy object or a helper, and proceed to detach the hood from the hinges.
Now, put together the brand new hood for set up by aligning it accurately on the car’s body. Safe it briefly with just a few bolts to stop it from shifting. Reconnect the hood hinges and tighten the bolts securely utilizing a torque wrench to make sure correct match and performance. Change the hood insulation and reconnect the unfavorable battery terminal. Lastly, examine the hood’s alignment, alter it as obligatory, and guarantee all bolts are tightened to the desired torque values. By following these directions meticulously, you possibly can successfully swap out the hood in your 2009 Mercedes E350 and restore its pristine look.
Security Precautions and Instruments Required
Security Precautions
Previous to embarking on the hood swapout process, it’s crucial to prioritize security concerns to reduce potential hazards.
- Park the car on a degree and secure floor: Interact the parking brake to stop unintended motion.
- Disconnect the battery: Find the battery terminals and take away the unfavorable cable to isolate {the electrical} system.
- Permit the engine to chill: The hood comprises sizzling parts, so it’s essential to attend till the engine has cooled right down to keep away from burns.
- Put on protecting gear: Make the most of security glasses to protect your eyes from falling particles and gloves to guard your arms.
- Safe the work space: Clear away any obstacles across the car and guarantee there may be satisfactory area to work safely.
- Examine the hood: Look at the hood for any sharp edges or broken parts that would trigger harm.
Instruments Required
As a way to full the hood swapout efficiently, the next instruments are important:
| Instrument | Description |
|---|---|
| 10mm Socket Wrench | To take away the hood bolts |
| 13mm Socket Wrench | To take away the radiator help bolts |
| Torx T25 Bit | To take away the hood latch |
| Phillips Head Screwdriver | To take away the facet marker lights |
| Flathead Screwdriver | To pry open the grille |
| Wrenches (10mm and 13mm) | For added leverage when eradicating bolts |
| Gloves | To guard arms from sharp edges and sizzling parts |
| Security Glasses | To guard eyes from falling particles |
Eradicating the Previous Hood
1. Disconnect the battery. Earlier than you start engaged on the hood, it is vital to disconnect the battery to stop any electrical accidents. To do that, find the unfavorable battery terminal and loosen the bolt that holds it in place. As soon as the terminal is free, take away it from the battery submit and set it apart.
2. Take away the hood latch. The hood latch is positioned on the entrance of the hood, simply above the grille. To take away the latch, insert a screwdriver into the small gap on the facet of the latch and push down. The latch will pop open, and you’ll then take away it from the hood.
3. Take away the hood hinges. The hood hinges are positioned on both facet of the hood, close to the windshield. To take away the hinges, unbolt them from the hood and the body of the automotive. As soon as the hinges are eliminated, you possibly can elevate the hood off of the automotive.
| Instruments Wanted | Estimated Time |
|---|---|
| Screwdriver | half-hour |
Disconnecting the Gasoline Struts
1. **Find the fuel struts.** They’re positioned on both facet of the hood, connecting it to the body of the automotive.
2. **Insert a screwdriver or pry bar into the small notch on the backside of the strut.** It will launch the strain on the strut, permitting you to take away it.
3. **Gently elevate the hood whereas pulling the strut out of its socket.** Watch out to not let the hood fall instantly, as this might harm it or the struts.
| **Tip:** It might be useful to make use of a second individual to help you in holding the hood whilst you take away the struts. |
4. **Repeat the method for the opposite fuel strut.**
Eradicating the Hood Hinges
As soon as the hood is propped up, you can begin eradicating the hood hinges. To do that, find the bolts that safe the hinges to the hood and to the automotive itself. There will likely be 4 bolts on every hinge, for a complete of eight bolts.
Use a wrench to loosen the bolts, after which take away them by hand. As soon as the bolts are eliminated, you possibly can elevate the hood off of the hinges. Watch out to not drop the hood, as it’s heavy.
4. Troubleshooting
In case your automotive would not have fuel struts, you could encounter problem when trying to take away the hood. When lifting the hood and eradicating it from the hinges, it might fall and trigger harm. To keep away from the danger of harm, search help from one other particular person to allow them to make it easier to maintain the hood up as you take away the bolts and detach it from the hinges.
| Motion | Observe |
|---|---|
| Find the hinge bolts | Be conscious that there are a complete of eight bolts, 4 on every hinge. |
| Loosen and take away the bolts | Use a wrench to loosen the bolts first, adopted by eradicating them by hand. |
| Raise the hood off the hinges | Warning: The hood is heavy, keep away from dropping it. In case your car lacks fuel struts, ask for help to help the hood throughout this step. |
Putting in the New Hood Hinges
The hood hinges are essential parts for the sleek operation of your automotive’s hood. Here is how you can set up the brand new hood hinges in your 2009 Mercedes E350:
1. Collect Instruments: Earlier than beginning, assemble the required instruments, together with a socket wrench, hex keys, pliers, and a flathead screwdriver.
2. Take away Previous Hinges: Utilizing a socket wrench, rigorously unbolt the outdated hood hinges from the hood and fender. Be conscious to not harm every other parts.
3. Put together New Hinges: Align the brand new hood hinges on the corresponding mounting factors on the hood and fender.
4. Connect Hinges: Safe the brand new hinges utilizing the bolts supplied. Begin by finger-tightening them after which use a socket wrench to completely tighten them.
5. Modify Hinges (Superior): To make sure optimum hood alignment and operation, additional changes could also be obligatory:
5.1. Hood Alignment: Open and shut the hood just a few instances to watch its alignment. If wanted, alter the place of the hinges by loosening the bolts, realigning the hood, and re-tightening the bolts.
5.2. Hood Peak: Examine the hood’s peak when closed. If obligatory, alter the hinges by loosening the bolts, lifting or reducing the hood as required, and re-tightening the bolts.
5.3. Hood Latch Engagement: Confirm if the hood latch engages correctly when the hood is closed. If adjustment is critical, loosen the bolts, alter the latch place, and re-tighten the bolts.
6. Last Checks: As soon as all changes are full, examine the hood’s operation by opening and shutting it a number of instances. Guarantee it aligns accurately, closes securely, and the latch engages correctly.
Reattaching the Gasoline Struts
Now it is time to reattach the fuel struts to the hood. Struts can differ barely from mannequin to mannequin, however they often work in an analogous approach.
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Find the underside of the fuel strut. It can have a ball-and-socket joint.
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Push the ball joint into the socket on the hood. You could want to make use of a bit of power.
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Safe the fuel strut to the hood utilizing the bolts or screws that you just eliminated earlier.
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Repeat this course of for the opposite fuel strut.
Right here’s a desk summarizing the steps:
| Step | Motion |
|---|---|
| 1 | Find the underside of the fuel strut. |
| 2 | Push the ball joint into the socket on the hood. |
| 3 | Safe the fuel strut to the hood utilizing the bolts or screws. |
| 4 | Repeat for the opposite fuel strut. |
Aligning the New Hood
As soon as the brand new hood is in place, it’s important to align it correctly to make sure a easy and safe match. Comply with these detailed steps for exact alignment:
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Test the Gaps Alongside the Sides: Open the doorways on each side of the car and visually examine the gaps between the hood and the fenders. Modify the hood side-to-side as obligatory to attain even gaps on each side.
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Measure the Distance to the Grille: Use a measuring tape to confirm the gap between the hood and the grille. The gap needs to be constant on each side, making a flush and symmetrical look. Modify the hood ahead or backward as wanted to attain the right distance.
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Consider the Alignment with the Headlamps: Observe the alignment of the hood with the headlamps. The hood ought to overlap the headlamps evenly on each side, with a constant hole across the edges. Modify the hood as required to make sure correct alignment.
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Test the Clearance on the Windshield: Open the hood barely and examine the clearance between the hood and the windshield. Modify the hood up or down as obligatory to offer enough clearance with out inflicting interference.
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Confirm the Latch Engagement: Shut the hood gently and confirm that the latch engages securely. The hood ought to shut easily and lock into place with out extreme power. Modify the latch or hood alignment as wanted to make sure correct latching.
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Tighten the Bolts: As soon as the hood is aligned, tighten the bolts that safe it to the hinges. Use a torque wrench to use the desired torque to stop overtightening.
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Verify Last Alignment: With the hood absolutely closed, examine the alignment from varied angles. Confirm that the gaps are even, the hood is flush with the encircling physique panels, and the headlamps are correctly aligned. Make any obligatory closing changes to attain optimum alignment and look.
Tightening the Bolts and Screws
As soon as the hood is aligned, it is time to tighten the bolts and screws. Comply with these steps rigorously to make sure the hood is securely mounted in place:
- Utilizing a torque wrench with the suitable socket measurement, tighten the 2 bolts on the entrance of the hood to the desired torque (sometimes round 10 ft-lbs). These bolts maintain the hood hinge to the physique.
- Subsequent, tighten the 4 screws on the rear of the hood to the desired torque (sometimes round 5 ft-lbs). These screws safe the hood to the hinge.
- Use a flat-head screwdriver to tighten the 2 adjustment screws positioned on the base of every hinge. These screws alter the peak of the hood and make sure that the gaps are even on each side.
- As soon as all of the bolts and screws are tightened, double-check the hood alignment by opening and shutting it a number of instances. Guarantee that the sides of the hood line up evenly with the fenders and that the gaps are constant all through.
Reattaching the Hood Latches
As soon as the hood is aligned and secured, it is time to reattach the hood latches. Comply with these steps to finish the method:
- Find the 2 hood latches on the within of the hood.
- Align the latches with the corresponding brackets on the physique of the automotive.
- Press down firmly on every latch to have interaction it into place.
- Test the operation of the hood latches by opening and shutting the hood a number of instances.
| Instrument Required | Description |
|---|---|
| Torque Wrench | Used to tighten bolts and screws to the desired torque. |
| Socket Wrench Set | Used to take away and set up bolts and screws. |
| Flat-Head Screwdriver | Used to regulate the hood hinges. |
Checking for Correct Operation
As soon as the hood is put in, it is important to test for correct operation earlier than driving the car. Comply with these steps to make sure the hood opens, closes, and latches securely:
1. **Open the Hood:** Pull the hood launch lever positioned contained in the cabin close to the driving force’s seat. The hood ought to open easily and keep in place.
2. **Shut the Hood:** Rigorously decrease the hood till it’s a few inches away from closing. Push down evenly on each side of the hood to have interaction the latches.
3. **Interact the Security Latch:** Push the protection latch lever within the middle of the hood in direction of the grille till it clicks into place. It will forestall the hood from by accident opening whereas driving.
4. **Take a look at the Latch:** Shut the hood fully and attempt to open it by pulling up on the latch launch lever. The hood ought to stay closed.
5. **Test the Hood Line:** Make sure that the hood is flush with the fenders and grille. There needs to be no gaps or misalignment.
6. **Verify Indicator Gentle:** Test if the hood open indicator mild on the dashboard is turned off. If it stays on, there could also be a problem with the latch or sensor.
7. **Drive Take a look at:** Take the car for a brief drive and take a look at the hood’s operation by opening and shutting it whereas the automotive is in movement. Be cautious and guarantee there isn’t a wind resistance that would have an effect on the hood’s motion.
8. **Repeated Testing:** Proceed checking the hood’s operation over a number of days to make sure it persistently opens, closes, and latches securely. It will assist establish any potential points.
9. **Search Skilled Assist:** Should you encounter any difficulties or considerations with the hood’s operation, seek the advice of a professional mechanic or technician. They’ll diagnose and resolve any issues to make sure the protection and performance of your car.
Troubleshooting
Should you encounter any points whereas swapping out the hood in your 09 Mercedes E350, seek advice from the next troubleshooting suggestions:
- Issue eradicating the outdated hood: Use a pry bar to softly pry up the hood alongside the sides to launch the clips.
- Alignment points: Reposition the hood and alter the bolts and brackets till it aligns correctly with the fenders.
- Extreme vibration: Double-check the bolts and guarantee they’re tightened securely to stop the hood from rattling.
Suggestions
Listed below are some suggestions to make sure a profitable hood swapout:
- Security first: Put on gloves and security glasses to guard your self from sharp edges and falling elements.
- Use the suitable instruments: Use a socket wrench, ratchet, and pry bar for optimum effectivity.
- Disconnect the battery: Keep away from electrical hazards by disconnecting the battery earlier than beginning the swap.
- Clear the hood latch: Take away any rust or particles from the hood latch to make sure easy operation.
- Help the hood safely: Use a prop rod or bungee straps to stop the hood from falling unexpectedly.
- Test the hood match: Shut the hood and examine the alignment. Make changes as wanted to make sure a correct match.
- Tighten bolts regularly: Tighten the hood bolts evenly and regularly to keep away from bending or warping the hood.
- Lubricate the hood hinges: Apply a small quantity of grease to the hood hinges to make sure easy operation.
- Reconnect the battery: Reconnect the battery after the swap is full.
- Take a look at the hood: Open and shut the hood a number of instances to make sure correct operation and alignment.
Superior Tip: Portray the Hood
If the alternative hood requires portray, think about the next suggestions:
| Step | Description |
|---|---|
| 1 | Sand the hood floor to take away any imperfections. |
| 2 | Prime the hood with a appropriate primer. |
| 3 | Apply a number of coats of paint, permitting every coat to dry totally. |
| 4 | Clear coat the hood to guard the paint from harm. |
How To Swapout A Hood On A 09 Mercedes E350
You will want the next instruments to interchange the hood in your 2009 Mercedes E350:
Step 1: Open the hood of your Mercedes E350.
Step 2: Find the 2 10mm bolts that maintain the hood hinges to the fenders.
Step 3: Take away the 2 10mm bolts.
Step 4: Find the 2 13mm nuts that maintain the hood hinges to the firewall.
Step 5: Take away the 2 13mm nuts.
Step 6: Rigorously elevate the hood off of the hinges.
Step 7: Place the brand new hood on the hinges.
Step 8: Safe the hood hinges to the firewall with the 2 13mm nuts.
Step 9: Safe the hood hinges to the fenders with the 2 10mm bolts.
Step 10: Shut the hood and test for correct match and operation.
Folks Additionally Ask
How a lot does it value to interchange a hood on a Mercedes E350?
The price to interchange a hood on a Mercedes E350 will differ relying on the yr and mannequin of your car, in addition to the situation of the restore store. Nonetheless, you possibly can anticipate to pay between $500 and $1,000 for the elements and labor.
Can I exchange a hood by myself?
It’s doable to interchange a hood by yourself, however you will need to have the right instruments and information earlier than trying this restore. If you’re not snug working by yourself car, it’s best to take it to a professional mechanic.
How lengthy does it take to interchange a hood?
The time it takes to interchange a hood will differ relying on the expertise of the mechanic and the situation of the car. Nonetheless, you possibly can anticipate the restore to take between 1 and a pair of hours.
